Welcome to AUNT SALLY'S GARDEN. Relax and observe nature with me
around my MILKWEED PATCH. Be aware of the creatures that dwell near you. Do the little things to make the world a better place.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Pink Grasshopper

Hello again, My Darlings.

Yesterday my friend, Terri, and I were enjoying a healthy
walk. Bored of our usual walking
pattern, we struck out across a nearby
field. Terri spotted this cool insect. I had only my older model smart phone to use
as a camera, but I was grateful for it. We
had no idea what we were looking at: a 4 cm
long, four- legged, pink critter.
If it were a grasshopper, then it would need two more legs!

I posted the picture
to “ID Request” on www.BugGuide.net. The
kind, smart folks at BugGuide would know what this was. Sure enough, I got an answer: Chortophaga viridifasciata, a Green-striped
Grasshopper. This one is a nymph,
probably over-wintering in the dry grass.
Indeed, it is missing the two powerful back legs, and it’s an unusual
color. Green-striped Grasshoppers are
usually green or brown. This
fellow demonstrates erythrism (“erythro-“ is a combining form that means “red”)
with its remarkable, vibrant coloring. Given its striking color and lack of hopping
legs, I imagine this pink grasshopper will soon be a good meal for a hungry
bird.

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The copyright for all text and photographs of The Milkweed Patch Blog belongs to Sally S. Paulissen. Images and text may be used for educational purposes, with attribution: "Copyright Sally S. Paulissen, http://MilkweedPatch.blogspot.com". For any other use, contact me via the Comments or the Profile information.